DRUG vs IXJ vs CURE vs HLTH - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing DRUG, IXJ, CURE, and HLTH. IXJ has the lowest management fee at 0.4% a year, IXJ has the highest 5 years return at 5.3% a year, and DRUG offers the highest at 4%.

Lowest fee

IXJ 0.4% p.a.

Highest 5 years return

IXJ 5.3% p.a.

Highest yield

DRUG 4%

Highest risk-adjusted

IXJ Sharpe 0.22 (5y)

Lowest volatility

IXJ 12.4% (5y)

Largest fund

IXJ $1.4bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	DRUG BetaShares Global Healthcare ETF - Currency Hedged	IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF	CURE Global X S&P Biotech ETF	HLTH VanEck Global Healthcare Leaders ETF
Snapshot
Provider	BetaShares	iShares	Global X	VanEck
Tracks index	Nasdaq Global ex-Australia Healthcare Hedged AUD Index	S&P Global 1200 Health Care Sector Index	S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index	—
Categories	Intl, Thematic	Intl, Thematic, Market-Cap	US, Thematic	Intl, Thematic
Listed since	—	2007 (19 yrs)	2021 (5 yrs)	—
Fund size (AUM)	$172m	$1.4bn	$46m	$52m
Cost & income
Management fee	0.57%	0.4%	0.45%	0.45%
Dividend yield	4%	1.61%	0%	0.34%
Franking	0%	0%	0%	0%
Turnover	—	5%	35%	—
Tax drag	1.28%	0.64%	0.84%	0.11%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	20.8% net	12.1% net	57.4% net	4.9% net
3-year return	5.7% net	5.1% net	18.5% net	4.7% net
5-year return	4.2% net	5.3% net	4.3% net	-0.3% net
10-year return	—	8.9% net	—	—
Risk
Volatility (3y)	12.6%	12.9%	25.5%	12.6%
Volatility (5y)	13.2%	12.4%	24.9%	13.6%
Volatility (10y)	—	11.6%	—	—
Sharpe ratio (3y)	0.18	0.14	0.63	0.1
Sharpe ratio (5y)	0.13	0.22	0.16	—
Sharpe ratio (10y)	—	0.6	—	—
Bid/ask spread	—	—	—	—

marks the strongest fund in each row. “net” shows the after-tax return at your selected bracket. “—” means we don’t have that data point yet.

Each fund at a glance

DRUG BetaShares Global Healthcare ETF - Currency Hedged

Top-14% returns over 1 year (43rd of 308 ETFs we track).
Pays a useful 4% income yield.

Has lagged most peers over 3 years (169th of 226).

Full DRUG analysis →

IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF

Low-cost: a 0.4% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Has lagged most peers over 3 years (174th of 226).

Full IXJ analysis →

CURE Global X S&P Biotech ETF

Top-2% returns over 1 year (7th of 308 ETFs we track).

Cheaper alternatives exist: IXJ and IXI.

Full CURE analysis →

HLTH VanEck Global Healthcare Leaders ETF

Has lagged most peers over 5 years (166th of 188).

Full HLTH analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between DRUG vs IXJ vs CURE vs HLTH?

DRUG, IXJ, CURE, and HLTH are 4 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. IXJ carries the lowest management fee (0.4%). Over 5 years, IXJ has delivered the highest total return (5.3% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lowest fees - DRUG vs IXJ vs CURE vs HLTH?

IXJ has the lowest management fee at 0.4% a year, versus DRUG 0.57%, CURE 0.45%, and HLTH 0.45%.

Which has performed highest - DRUG vs IXJ vs CURE vs HLTH?

Over the past 5 years, IXJ has delivered the highest total return at 5.3% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the highest dividend yield?

DRUG pays the highest at 4%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the largest and most liquid?

IXJ is the largest fund by assets ($1.4bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

IXJ vs IXI IXJ vs IOO CURE vs IXI

← Back to all ETFs

General information only, generated from each fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.